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Naran Kaghan is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Pakistan. People love to come here and to nearby places to enjoy their vacations. They visit it to experience viewing the many lakes, peaks, and valleys nearby. So we’ve devised this ultimate travel guide to Naran Kaghan and other fascinating tourist attractions nearby.
Naran is a town located in the Kaghan Valley, Mansehra District, KPK. Despite being geologically adjacent, the site is known locally as “Naran Kaghan.” Balakot is the gateway to the Kaghan Valley and many other cities. The scenic 7,904-foot Naran Kaghan Valley is home to many historical sites of different faiths.
There are many interesting activities to enjoy in Naran. We have listed some of the things that most tourists like.
Both Naran and Kaghan have endless shopping options. The main mall street has many shops selling stitched and unstitched thermal clothing, traditional and wool hats, toys, embroidered shawls, dried fruit, and handicrafts.
The Naran Kaghan Valley is known for its food. The restaurant serves one of the best chicken and lamb dishes and the famous trout. In addition, the vendor offers soup, hot drinks, and ice cream. Naran also provides a variety of traditional Pakhtun and Afghani dishes and lamb dishes.
Naran Kaghan has many options for hiking and trekking lovers. Additionally, Naran Kaghan offers many options for hiking and trekking lovers. Some lakes or waterfalls can be hiked. However, you can even hike to the nearby summit for an extraordinary sightseeing experience. Pack all the necessary items, including first aid, camping, meals, and navigation equipment.
Horseback riding is a popular source of happiness in northern Pakistan. Naran Kaghan and other places worth seeing can only be explored on a jeep. These Jeeps are a better and safer option for steep and narrow roads. It is decorated with bright colors and other accessories and is equally attractive to tourists.
Those visiting the Naran Kaghan Valley should not miss out on canoeing and paddle boarding on the Paddle River. Boating and rafting are some of the adventure activities that tourists highly request. However, all appropriate measures have been taken to ensure its safety. People enjoy canoeing in flowing rivers and paddling in tranquil lakes.
Camping and fishing in Naran are perhaps the most fun sports. Tourists, especially male tourists, decided to set up camp on the various slopes and hills of Kaghan and Naran. Some go to lakes and streams to fish, catch, cook, and eat trout near rivers.
Naran Kaghan has many picturesque places that tourists can visit. These enchanting places include clean, cool lakes, green meadows, high mountains, and unmissable waterfalls.
The Kunhar River crosses the Naran Valley and passes outside Balakot. This 166-kilometer-long river is an adventurous place for those who like to raft. Lulusar Lake, Saif Ul Malook Lake, and glaciers fall into this river. People travel to Kunhar to enjoy the wonderful scenery when the glacier falls into the river. People visit Kunhar to enjoy the wonderful scenery, fish for salmon, and dine near its lakeside.
Shogran is a beautiful hill station located on the Kaghan Plateau at 2362 meters. People prefer to stay here because of the restaurants, resorts, and other essentials. Glimpses of Siri and Musa ka Musala peaks can be seen from here. Shogran is an excellent place for a walk, with many green lawns.
Babusar Top is the highest peak in the area between KPK and Gilgit. Babusar Pass is located 13,700 feet above sea level on the north side of Kaghan. It can only be accessed by jeep or car. Freezing people like to come here in summer to get a clear view of the snow-capped peaks.
Lalazar is a meadow surrounded by forests of pine and fir trees, full of wildflowers. It is located 13 kilometers from Naran and has an elevation of approximately 10,446 feet. Tourists can easily get there by renting a jeep and enjoying the view of the snow-capped mountain tops of Sal Farrak. Lalazar has a shallow temperature in the middle of the mountain.
Siri Payee is located in Shogran Valley, Naran Kaghan District. The place is very calm and has to be reached by jeep. After passing through the picturesque alpine forest, take a 15-minute jeep ride down into the scenic alpine forest, then a 15-minute jeep ride down to Siri Payee below Makra Peak. You can also enjoy views of Siri and Payee lakes and majestic mountain peaks.
Lulusar is a 1 hour, 30-minute drive from the Naran Kaghan Valley. It is the largest lake in Pakistan and is adjacent to Lake Ansu at 11,190 feet above sea level. Lake Lulusar is another picturesque campground where you can hike to other peaks and lakes.
Saif-ul-Malook Lake is one of the highest lakes in Pakistan, at 10,578 feet above sea level. It is 9 km from Naran and easily accessible by jeeps. Lake Seif El Molouk offers stunning views through the reflections of snow-capped peaks. Due to winter landslides, snow, and rain, this place can only be visited in summer.
Dudipatsar Lake is known as White Mountain Lake because snow-capped mountains surround it. The stunning Queen of the Lake is located on the north side of Kaghan. Situated at an altitude of 12,500 feet above sea level, it is home to various creatures. Dudipatsar Lake is a beautiful landscape with turquoise waters, green valleys, and snow-capped peaks.
Ansu Lake is the highest lake in the Himalayas. This famous teardrop-shaped lake is located near Malika Parbat in Kaghan. Ansu Lake is about 13,927 meters high and was discovered by PAF pilots in 1993. The place is very cold and can only be reached by jeep in summer.
Kiwai Waterfall is located in Kiwai, a place in KPK. One goes through Kiwai to Payee Lake. The clear, icy water that poured down seemed invigorating. You can enjoy delicious photos and food on tables and chairs in the water.
Sharan Waterfall is located in the Sharan Forest, 16 km from Parras in the Kaghan district. It takes an hour and 30 minutes to drive to this place. Manshi Peak, Sharan Waterfall, and Forest are the main tourist attractions. People come here to admire the spectacle of roaring grasslands, towering peaks, and clear streams.
Naran Kaghan is 1724.5 km from Karachi, 611 km from Lahore, and 283 km from Islamabad. People from Karachi and Lahore can book a flight to Islamabad or Peshawar and then rent a taxi to travel further afield. In addition, they can also choose other modes of transportation that follow a specific route, as shown below.
Traveling to Naran Kaghan alone can be tiring and time-consuming. You can stay in Murree, Balakot, Abbottabad, Nathiagali, and Peshawar. For those who wish to travel by car, the Hazara Expressway, Islamabad Expressway, Mansehra, and National Highways connect Naran Kaghan. In addition, there will be multiple stops and service stations along the way. In this matter, hiring a rental car for Naran is beneficial.
Naran Kaghan is easier to reach by public transport. Tourists have many options, such as planes, trains, and luxury air-conditioned buses. Tourists arrive at the Islamabad, Peshawar airport, or railway station and then take a taxi to go further afield. Buses go directly to Naran Kaghan via expressways and highways. They follow the same route as private transportation.
The Deep Forest Hotel offers upgraded service and an unpretentious home-away-from-home atmosphere. The hotel is located in Jheel Raod Naran. You can buy anything for your loved ones in your home from your local fair because it’s the closest. In addition, the newly built hotel provides a relaxing atmosphere for couples who do not want to stay in a large hotel with many tourists.
The Pine View Hotel in Balakot has a restaurant and ample garden seating. It also has a balcony and everything you need to relax. Pine View offers air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned rooms at an affordable price, offering its clients all the right services. In addition, you can always enjoy beautiful mountain views from the terrace. Additional benefits include free parking and free Wi-Fi.
Located in Balakot, Mountain Track has a warm atmosphere. They offer complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi, parking, room service, laundry, and other amenities. The hotel has a restaurant and a garden where guests can enjoy their meals. From its terrace, you can enjoy panoramic views of the surroundings. The room was clean and had all the necessities.
Arcadian Sprucewoods Resort in Shujran is one of them. It is located in a quiet environment surrounded by fir and pine trees. Wake up to beautiful views of Mallika Parbat and the peaks of the Makra Mountains, as well as the meadows of Sir Paya. The room is clean and comfortable, with 24-hour room service.
The Jumeirah Gold Hotel in Naran is one of the best. It has the most comfortable and luxurious rooms and hospitable staff. Moreover, the whole environment is calm and offers visitors a panoramic view. Enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, free parking, complimentary breakfast, and other luxuries 24/7 at Jumeirah Gold Hotel.
Swiss Wood Cottages at Naran is a state-of-the-art wooden cottage with all the great amenities. It has comfortable and well-managed rooms with excellent service and staff. The quiet and green environment offers guests an out-of-this-world experience. Swiss Wood Cottages feel more like home with extensive gardens and parking spaces in a picturesque village.
The Millennium Hotel is located in a stunning location in Naran. This hotel has a terrace outside the room, where guests can enjoy the scenery. This hotel is considered one of the best family hotels in Naran as it offers various reasonably priced facilities.
Cloud View Hotel & Restaurant is one of the best 3-star hotels in Naran and offers 24-hour service to its customers. The hotel has a restaurant where you can enjoy meals and many complementary services. It has a terrace with a great view of the surroundings. All rooms have heaters installed and are comfortable and clean.
The Ministry of Forests, Environment, and Wildlife (KPK) operates government hotels in various forest areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They gave a comprehensive list of government guest houses in the province’s southern, central, northern, and Malakand districts. People visiting Naran Kaghan and nearby areas are advised to stay in hotels in the northern area of Abbottabad.
The northern part of Pakistan is dominated by summer, winter, rain, and snow. With such a stature, Naran Kaghan, the climatic conditions in winter are extremely harsh. More information on the climates people may encounter is below.
Naran Kaghan is not warm even in summer as the maximum temperature is 16°C and can drop further to 10°C. Summer in Naran Kaghan is the perfect combination of sunny days, cool nights, and constant rain.
Naran Kaghan is closed in winter as the temperature stays below 0°C. The place is closed from November to February as the streets are clogged with snow. There is light snow from April to September, and it can be visited when the road is open. Winters in Naran Kaghan are unbearable, even for the location.
The ultimate Naran Kaghan travel guide compiles everything about Naran Kaghan and the surrounding area. This place calls to you if you like mountains, waterfalls, lakes, meadows, or pleasant weather. Book your Naran Kaghan Tour Package today and take advantage of amazing discount offers and complimentary services.
Since 2017, Saba Ghani has been serving as the talented and dedicated chief content writer for Pakistan Tour and Travel & EMHI Solutions. With her exceptional writing skills and in-depth knowledge of the travel industry, she has been instrumental in crafting engaging and informative content that captivates the audience. You can catch her at [email protected] or Twitter
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